The 3000m Steeplechase finals was almost interrupted by a cameraman who inadvertently became an obstacle for the competitors at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
In the middle of one the most unique races in the sport, the cameraman - who was positioned close to the finish line - jumped on the track and forced the runners to change their direction in order to avoid a dramatic collision. In the early stages of the event, which is known for its obstacles, the cameraman stood in lane two with his back to the competitors.
The stunned pack of runners managed to notice and evade any mishaps as they ran around the cameraman, who was perhaps unaware of the drama unfolding around him while he searched for the ultimate shot. Many onlookers questioned what he was doing, with CBC Olympics tweeting that he was filming the women’s triple jump final.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Australian sport commentator Tim Rosen posted on Twitter. After the race, Evan Jager explained his thought process when he saw the cameraman, who seemed unaware a race was taking place on the track, let alone a final.
“I was a little worried that he was going to dart one way or another, right at the last second, but thankfully he didn’t realise we were there until we all passed him,” Jager said, per the New York Times . Teammate Hilary Bor added: “Thank God he was in the second lane, so we tried to stay away from him. I don’t know what he was doing.”
The event was eventually won by Morocco’s Soufiane El-Bakkali, who added the world crown to his Olympic title from last summer. The champion said: “I positioned myself well in the last lap. I am very strong in the 400 metres and it worked out for me.
What is the craziest thing you have seen interrupt a major sporting event? Let us know in the comments section.
It was the slowest 3000m steeplechase final race in World Championships history with all the three medal winners clocking way below their season's and personal best. Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma took second while Conseslus Kipruto finished third.
This is the latest issue to arise from the championships, which have become somewhat littered with talking points including the ludicrous disqualification rules which ultimately denied US hurdler Devon Allen a shot at winning a medal.
